Aerial-ladder truck.



E. A. WHITAKER.

AERIAL LADDER TRUCK, APPLICATION FILED AUGJT. ms.

Patented Feb. 19, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET E. A. WHITAKER.

AERIAL LADDER TRUCK. APPLICATION FILED AUGJT. 191a.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

citizen of the tain new and Aerial-Ladder EDGAR -.A. WHITAKER, E PROVIDENCE,

'RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO CHARLES RICHARDSON, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

AERIAL-LADDER TRUCK.

Providence 'ie 1 State of Rhode 1 ingis a specification.

"the turntable 3 and sides, is engaged by y invention relates to aerial-ladder trucks and consists of an improved mechanism for controlling the operation of the ladder-elevating means. improvement is to provide a manually-controlled'device for positively lockingthe ladder in its lowered position, and also for securing it against movement when raised on the truck.

The manner and means for carrying'out the lmprovement are fully described in the following specification, illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters'designate like parts. In the drawings: Y I Figure 1 is a side elevation of the front portion 'of the truck, showing the poweroperated means for elevating the ladder thereon;

Fig.2, a plan View of the cylinders containing the spring-operated pistons which actuate the ladder-raising means, and also showing the ladder-lowering screw;

ig.'3, an enlarged, detail view of the ladderlowering screw showing my 1mproved controlling-mechanism as applied thereto; and Fig. 4, a sectional, detail view of the locking-device for the ladder-operating mechanism.

Referring first to Fig. 1, 2 fore part of the horizontal ladder-truck which is mounted on suitable running gear as usually provided, butnot herein shown or described. R'otatably mounted on the top of the frame 2 is a revolving turntable 3 which supports the ladder 4- to adapt it to be turned in different directions as required. The supports for the ladder 4:

designates the consist of upright side-frames 0r brackets fastened to the top of carrying a horizontal top. The heel of the on the cross-shaft '6 '5 having their legs cross-shaft 6 at the ladder 4 is pivoted and a brake-drum 7,

internal shoes, not here Specification of Letters Patent. 7 Application filed August 17, I916; serial no. 1 15,492. 1

, pivot-shaft 6 are The object of my frame of the them for the secured to one of its Patented Feb." 19;, "19218.

shown, controlled by a hand' lever 8 on. one? of the side-frames '5. Secured to the sides or legs of the ladder 4 at the right of the two V-shaped struts or braces 9 extending downwardly beneath the: shaft and'serving the ladder as later described.

eferring now to Fig. 2,3two parallel, horizontal cylinders 10 on the top of the turntable 3,. between. the side-frames '5,and within them are slidable pistons 11. The pistons 11 are operated by compression-springs 12, two or more belng employed in each cylinder, with one coiled within another as shown. The outer end of the pistons 11 are connected by a cross-rod or shaft 13v on the. extremities of which. are carried links or connecting-rods 14. he opposite ends of the links 14 are pivotally connected to the lower, apex ends of the side-braces 9,.see Fig. .1. It will there fore be seen that when-the springs 12 act to slide the pistons 11 outwardly in the cylinders 10, their connection throughthe linkslel with therstruts or the ladder 4: to be tilted upwardly on its pivot-shaft 6 in the well known manner as usually provided in apparatus of this type. For lowering the la relation with the frame 2 of the truck I employ a horizontal screw-shaft or worm 15 which is rotatably mounted in bearings 16, 17 on the turntable 3 between the cylinders 10. Fitted to engage screw 15 is a sliding nut or sleeve l'8,"see Fig. 3, provided on its opposite sides with trunnions 19. Connected to the trunnions 9 are two parallel, horizontal rods or links braces 9 will cause as the means for raising.

are ..mounted fast:

der into depressed the threads of the 20 joined at their outer ends to the cross 3 the screw 15 while manually to slide the nut 18 in the opposite direction, thereby retracting the pistons 11 and compressing the springs 12*to energize next 0 The screw 15 is rotated manually through the means of cranks 21 carried at the outer ends of two short shafts 22 at the front of the truck. L The shafts 22 are journ ale'd in bearings its bearings 16, 17.

on suitable brackets 23 Z eration of raising the L 1 1 in itsbearings and prevent movement of the sliding nut 18,when 1t is'desired to lock the V projecting froin 'the;

a gear 251' .on' the; screw [15.1

2d are 'inaintained free from en but are adapted iladder elevating v and lowering mechanism s "similar in construction to: apparatus [already in :-'use and my -iniproved controlling-means I is-applied theretoassnext explained Bolted V to .the topjoi' the sliding-nut I of a='horizontally extending square bar or A nut screwed onto holds it rigidly in p or it might convenient 5 end of the rod 27- is fitted to slide in a slotted a is reduced in diameter and inserted through;

20' bore 7 V den 29; abuttingthe 18, or formed as 'apartthereof, if preferred, is a blocki or bearing z26"in vvhich is secured the end rod 27,,see Fig. "3 Preterably, the rod 27,, "28 inthe bearing26ewith its shoul-i forward side thereof.

' fthe-end of the rod-27 lace infthe bearing 26', be secured thereto by any other means;,Theopposite or for wardi 'x bearing '3l': constructed as a part of :or at- "tachedfto" 15. Ajcap 33ltwhile allowing the end-bearing 17 of the'screw v I 32"boltedto the top ofthebearr' ing 311holds the rod--27 in place in its slot -it to slide 'therethrough,"

7 but it is to-be understood that this detail 3 o'fconstruction is-n'ot; important and'can be, J

claim 1s:-V-

' springs 12,.a-slot orsocketBT the side ofithe-rod27 with which the end j of'the shaft'35l engages as Theoperationotthe completedeviceiis as 7 it With'the I illustrated in fiscrewed the V carrying a hand-wheel 36: see .VF igs; '1 and 2. The end v for po'sitivelylocking its end seats I 7' positivelyaagainst,longitudinal movement-in 1 hebearing 31-so as that thenut 18 is prezvating mechanism-inactive. until its operavaried as {preferredw LOIt the -side*ot the bearing 31 is a hublor boss 34: into which is end of a threaded. shaft "35 at its outer end, 7 r ot the-shaft 35, is adapted tof'be setagainst the fiat; side of the-longitrtdinalrod 27 q to bind the latter ladder in its raised 1 position. To provide the ladder in its lowered. position against the action. of the is formed in lad er l' in lowered position, as f Fig; 1, theshaft 35 is screwed clear into its bearing in thehub 34 until in the socket 37 cm thejsidei of thereby be held the rod 27;; :Fllherod 27 will 7 vented from slidingon the screw .15. .LIn this waythejpistons 11 are held in their re tractedkposition to I maintain the ladder-eletion is required. When itis desired to raise :the ladder 4-thej'lock'on. the rod 27 is-releasedbyf'si'mply unscrewing the shaft; 35

by means of the hand-wheel Thelsprings H'Du'ri'n'g the raising o of the elevating means.

wheel 36jisiturned 1 seen 'thatxiny. improved singlemeans for securing accidental release :while 1 the means rangementlor getti "means for i moved. by

; toplock the tion withthe frame thereof,

means t a-rod sl dably' mounted for ax almov'ement 1 7 T Inan 'aerialrladdertruck, Itio'n with the @pivotally' mounted (thereon, power operat'ed "means for elevating the la'dd r on" its pivot,

- against 12 'willvtheniact on thepistons 11', causing i the links '14 to pull on the braces 9 to swing the ladder upwardly,

I .the .jladderth'e operator manipulatestthe' lever ,0 prevent 'atoo'sudden or rapidmovementr Then, when the ladder reaches the position toset the sliding rod '27, this manner-the ladder is'held secu1 *ely-,i n.-place. lt'lwillbel" device provides a position to I positive lock for holding the ered position when not-in use. lock isabsolutely positi "e and proof. against for hold ing theladder raise and reliable. V nism s so simple 7 [to be, proof being especially easy an anoperator standing on the ground at the side ofthetruck. r r

Various modifications might be ;ma'de in the constructionanda rrangenient of the'jelew mentsj otfmy improved, device vent'ion; therefore, without llmlting myselfto the exact embodiment-shown what'. I,

an aerial-,laddertruck, tion with thefiframe thereof, pivotally mounted'thereon, power-operated stationary, bearing mounted on thejgframe centrally beneath the ladder, a rod slidable 71 0- said bearing and'connected to be- 7 r;

axially in V 7 the means for raising and lowering the ladder,;an'd means ladder in raised'or lowered position; x i1 I 2. 111 an aerialladder truck,

pivotally mounted thereon p for elevating owersactuated in a fixedbearingandconnectedtothe lad+ der to be moved: simultaneouslytherewith, v and manuallypperable means 'for gripping the rod in its bearing to, lock 7 the ladder in its raised-orlowered posit-ion. V "1 theicomb ina 1 frame thereof, {of a; ladder V a rod mountedtoslideinan axial direction I in a fixed bearing and connected to thelad der to beinovedsimultaneously therewith,}a

screw-shaft in said bearing arranged to bind theg'slidablejrod, and a hand wheel hold the ;rod from for turning the, shaftto as* before described. 1

8 to control the 7j0' mechan sm which acts'on the brake-drum 7 desired,the;l1and- V 'theshaft 35 against '75 the Iadd'er-in'an'y whichit is raised, and :alsov'a' ladder" in low- The5down dis, also" equally secure a fl f cfsa vetime the mecha- 4 against ,de-

ngou't of order While also i v d convenientjto oper-rate {since- 'the-i hand-wheel 36 is accessible to g I tvithoutfde: parting 'fromthe spirit -01 QQPE Oi t i I combine-"10C of a ladder lifting the'ladder on its pivot, a.

to grip said rod J V 7 1] the combina-, of a ladder the ladder .on' its" pivot,

ered position. r

1,256,964 3 sliding to lock the ladder in raised or lowtherein to lock the ladder in raised or low- V a ered position. I a I 4. In an aerial-ladder truck, the combina 6. In an aerial-ladder truck, the combination with the'frame thereof, of a turntable tion with the frame thereof, of a turntable rotatably mounted thereon, a ladder pivotrotatably mounted thereon, a ladder pivot- 30 ally supported at its heel on the turntable, ally supported at its heel on the turntable, power-operated means on the turntable for cylinders on the turntable, compressionelevating the ladder on its pivot, a horizonsprings in said cylinders, pistons slidable in tal rod axially slidable in a fixed bearing on the cylinders under the action of the springs, the turntable and connected to move simula cross-rod connecting the ends of the ms 35 taneously with the ladder, a shaft threaded tons, braces depending from the sides of the through the side of the bearing to bind ladder, links connecting the ends of the against the rod, and a hand-wheel on the end braces with the piston cross-rod, a screw of the shaft overhanging the side of the mounted on the turntable between the cylin-' truck-frame. ders, manually-operable means for turning 40 5. In an aerial-ladder truck, the combinathe screw, a nut slidable on the screw and tion with the frame thereof, of a ladder pivconnected to-the piston cross-rod to compress otally mounted thereon, power-operated the springs to lower the ladder, a rod conmeans for elevating the ladder on its pivot, nected with the nut and slidable through a a manually-rotatable screw, a sliding nut fixed bearing, and means to clamp the rod in 45 engaging the screw and connected to the its bearing to lock the ladder in raised or ladder to lower it against the action of the lowered position. elevating-means, a rod connected with the I In testimony whereofI aflix my signature.

nut and slidable through a fixed bearing, and means on the bearing for clamping'the rod EDGARA. WHITAKER.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five was each, by addres ng the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D; 0. 

